St. Mark's is sponsoring a blood drive with local nonprofit Nebraska Community Blood Bank to collect life-saving blood for patients in area hospitals. You can help save a life! Schedule your blood donation online, or call 1-877-486-9414 if you'd like help reserving your preferred time.

A new Bible study group called the Middle Men is meeting each Wednesday evening. This group, for men in their 20s-50s who like to get in the middle of things, is led by Jason Steele. 

There are a lot of great opportunities for youth to follow the path of how Jesus defined greatness this summer—which is by taking to serve and better others. We serve at some great organizations in the Lincoln community each Thursday, and have lunch and a brief devotion each day.

The youth will hold a garage sale Aug. 11-13 and are hoping for donations of furniture, household items, clothes, toys, Christmas trees, seasonal décor, and sporting goods to sell. Proceeds support St. Mark’s Youth Ministry. Items can be dropped off from 12-3 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, at the bus barns on the northeast corner of our campus. Please do not drop off old TVs.

St. Mark's Joanna Group would like to invite the congregation to join them in providing feminine hygiene products and baby diapers to organizations that help women in need. Products will be collected throughout June and July, at which time they will be delivered to Salvation Army, Friendship Home, Fresh Start and the Pregnancy Center. Collection barrels for donations are located inside the main entrance, Door 9, and in the Narthex.

Currently on display in St. Mark's Library are fun, encouraging, summer reads. There are materials for all ages—children, middle school, youth and adult. Come and check it out!

Some titles include for adults:

Titles for children:

The library is open on Sundays from 9:00-11:45 a.m. and is located across from Lower Fellowship Hall.

Do you have extra produce from your garden that you could share? Bring it to the St. Mark's Produce Table in the Connection Way on Sundays! Would you like to buy some home-grown produce? Just stop by the St. Mark's Produce Table on Sundays and leave a donation for each item you take. Donations will go to the St. Mark's Ministry Fund.

The Lincoln Bike Kitchen provides refurbished bikes and parts to community members so anyone that wants to be biking can, for free. By combining free access to professional tools with a team of knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers, the Bike Kitchen aims to help others develop the basic maintenance skills that will keep their bikes rolling for a lifetime. It is run entirely by volunteers and supported by donations (bikes, parts, tools, money) from the community. Please give generously.

We encourage you to give online or, if writing a check to St. Mark's, please indicate this week's mission—Lincoln Bike Kitchen—in the memo line at the bottom.

Next week: House for New Life

The St. Mark's Food Pantry provides food to anyone in our community who is hungry, along with a few other basic needs. Non-perishable food and other items can be placed on the table inside Door 9 on the south side of the church. These items are especially needed this week:

You may also give online or write a check to St. Mark's with "Food Pantry" in the memo line to support this ministry.

The St. Mark's Columbarium honors members and their families who have chosen to have their cremated remains inurned in perpetual rest on our church grounds. The columbarium is located just east of the Family Life Center in Resurrection Garden. This is sacred space that affirms the church's care for its members from birth and baptism through death and eternal life and provides a way to remain spiritually connected to our community of faith. Visit COLUMBARIUM if you would like more information about the St. Mark's Columbarium or pick up a columbarium packet available from the church office.

Come and cool off from the summer heat at Eastridge Pool, located at 830 Sunrise Road in Lincoln. The cost of $5/person includes admission and food. This is for all youth, PLUS children and families are welcome too!

All youth are invited to join our volleyball and esports tournaments originally scheduled for July 20, now on Aug. 3. Contact Pastor Jay Stewart or Ricque Harth for more information.

The Thursday Afternoon Book Group will meet the first Thursday in August to discuss the award-winning and bestselling novel The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris, an epic story whose grandeur locates humanity and love amid the most harrowing circumstances. Come and enjoy the fellowship of fellow St. Mark's readers.

Are you looking for a way to get involved at St. Mark's this summer? St. Mark's looking for talented and enthusiastic individuals to join the once-a-month summer choir. All experienced and beginner vocalists, both youth and adults, are welcome. The rehearsal will start at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10, in the Sanctuary to prepare for the following Sunday's 9 a.m. service. Contact Vince Learned if you are interested in participating.

Join us to celebrate summer, families, and our connections with each other! We'll be catering in food and will have kid-friendly options available. The meal is free, however donations will be accepted. Please register your family in advance.